The Tier 1 investor visa is designed for high net worth individuals who are looking to invest as well as enter and remain in the UK. It is widely touted to be the most popular and least demanding with regards to requirements.
The qualifying periods of settlement vary, depending on the level of investment
Investment amount When you can apply for settlement
GBP 10 million 2 years
GBP 5 million 3 years
GBP 2 million 5 years
Coming to the UK as a Tier 1 Investor
Applications under the Tier 1 investor route would normally be accessed based on the ability of the applicant to invest the required investment fund in the UK.
Unlike other Points Based System Migrants, the English Language requirement is not mandatory.
Also, unlike other Points Based System Migrants, the English Language criterion is not required to be fulfilled by the applying individual in this category; this is so because they can choose to work or not to work while in the UK, either way, it is permitted.
Also in this category, the individual applying is not required to meet the exclusive criterion for the availability of sufficient fund for maintenance as is applicable to most applications under the points-based system. This is so because the individual would have already fulfilled the main requirement for this category and as such have exhibited their capability to maintain and support themselves without recourse to public fund whilst in the United Kingdom.
In this category, the individual applying is not required to meet the exclusive criterion for the availability of sufficient fund for maintenance as is applicable to most applications under the points-based system. This is so because the individual would have already fulfilled the main requirement for this category and as such have exhibited their capability to maintain and support themselves without recourse to public fund whilst in the United Kingdom.
Tier 1 investor applicants do not need to meet the English language requirements that are applicable in most other Point Based System applications. The reason might just be because even though Tier 1 investor migrants are able to work in the UK, they usually do work. It is assumed that if they have that amount to invest in the country, they would normally not need to work.
Applicants who wish to enter the United Kingdom as a Tier 1 (Investor) category is entitled to points as elaborated in the table below. This is applicable to all individuals that seek to:
Receive entry clearance as a Tier 1 (Investor) who has not been granted leave in this category in the last 1 year; and
Extend their leave to remain under the Tier 1 (Investors) category in the United Kingdom if the previous permits they have received to reside in the UK were under other categories not the Tier 1 (Investor) or the Previous Investor Category.
The Home Office would normally grant leave for up to 3 years and 4 months for a Tier 1 investor visa
Also with regards to maintenance funds, Tier 1 investor migrants would not need to show or meet any maintenance funds requirement. This is because they will have met the attributes (main requirements) for this category and shown their ability to support themselves in the United Kingdom without needing help from public funds.
Points available for initial application under the Tier 1 Investor visa route
Attributes (75 points) Points
I) The applying individual has in his/her possession or in an endorsed financial institution amounts of money that belong to him/her which sums up to GBP 2 million or more and is disposable in the United Kingdom. 75
II) (a). The applying individual has personal possessions/assets of more than £2 million in value if they are to be taken into consideration as a liability or (b). The applying person has received a loan of at least £1million from a regulated UK financial institution which is now held under his/her control in a regulated financial institution and is disposable in the United Kingdom.
In a situation where the request of the applicant as a Tier 1 Investor Migrant is rejected by the United Kingdom Border Agency, he/she may choose to challenge the decision by making an application for Administrative Review to the Entry Clearance Manager (ECM). If the Entry Clearance Manager Stands by the same decision, the applicant can then challenge the decision further through the Judicial Review in the High; he/she may then be granted Leave to enter for 3 years and 4 months if the application is successful.
Furthermore, you will need to demonstrate that you have access to at least GBP 2 million under your control. It is important that the required fund is kept in a regulated financial institution and the funds are disposable in the UK. You may also rely on funds jointly owned by your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner. Tier 1 investor applicants would need to open a bank account in the UK.
It is also important that the money is held in the UK regulated bank account for 3 months prior to submitting the application. If the money has not been held up in your bank account for 3 consecutive months prior to the date of application, you will need to provide evidence of the source of funds. You may consider the list below as some of the permitted source of funds:-
gift
deeds of sale
a will
divorce settlement
evidence from a business
award of winnings
other
As a result of changes in the immigration rules which came to effect on the 1st of September 2015, Tier 1 investor applicants will now need to provide an overseas criminal record certificates for the country that they have continuously resided in for the past 12 months or more within the 10 year period prior to submitting their application
The rules also suggest that applicants must be at least 18 years of age
Things to take note of when making an entry clearance application
Entry Clearance officers are very likely to refuse an application if they have reasonable grounds to believe that
The applicant is not in control of the investment funds;
the funds were obtained unlawfully (or by means which would be unlawful if they happened in the UK); or
The character, conduct or associations of a party providing the funds mean that approving the application is not in the public interest.
Conditions of the Tier 1 investor visa
If your visa has been granted you must ensure that you fully invest the required amount in qualified investment portfolios. Qualified investments include share, loan capital in active and trading UK companies, or government bonds.
Tier 1 Investor migrants looking to purchase new qualifying investments are able to do so if they sell part of their current UK investment portfolios. In this case, if the value of their current portfolio falls short of the required investment funds, the applicant will then need to replace shortfalls in funds with the new qualifying investment.